-Used to play with cherry bombs and M-80s back when those things packed a wallop.
-Played cowboys and indians, or WWII, using acorns or small rocks as ammo. If we got hit in a limb, we couldn’t use it till the game was over. If we got hit in someplace that would kill us, we were out of the game. Our folks didn’t call us “knot-heads” for nothing. Also used pokeberries sometimes, because then the other guy couldn’t claim he wasn’t hit. Left a stain on skin or on clothes that would result in a belt or a switch.
-Played “stretch” with a scout knife. Faced opponent and wherever you could throw your knife and make it stick in the ground, he had to stretch his foot to that place. The first to be stretched beyond his limits lost.
Not only did play with fire crackers, M80s and Cherry bombs. We eventually graduated to K100s.
Around July 4th it was not uncommon to have a war with Roman Candles. We did require each person to wear sunglasses or some type of safety glasses. You wouldn’t want to take an eye out!